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Who Is Covered?

​KPPA provides group rates on medical insurance for retired members, spouses, and dependents up to age 26. Participation in the insurance program is optional and requires the completion of the proper forms at the time of retirement or during Open Enrollment. KPPA provides access to group health insurance coverage through the Kentucky Employees Health Plan (KEHP) for recipients until they reach age 65 and/or become eligible for Medicare. After a retired member becomes eligible for Medicare, coverage is available through a Medicare eligible plan offered by KPPA. If you are eligible for Medicare due to End Stage Renal Disease, please contact our office for further information. A retired member’s spouse and/or eligible dependents may also be covered on health insurance through KPPA.

When did you begin participating?

KPPA contributes toward the monthly insurance premium based on years of service and type of service (Hazardous or Nonhazardous). Keep in mind that service purchases made after August 1, 2004 do not count toward insurance benefits, with the following exceptions:

  • Omitted Service

  • Hazardous Conversion

  • Free Military Service

  • Sick Leave

  • Repayment of Refunds

1. If you began participating Prior to July 1, 2003:

KPPA pays a percentage of the monthly contribution rate for medical insurance coverage based on the retired member’s years of service and type of service.

2. If you began participating between July 1, 2003 - August 31, 2008:

For a member whose participation began between July 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008, eligibility for insurance benefits shall not be provided until the member has earned at least one hundred twenty (120) months of service in the state-administered retirement systems.

  • Nonhazardous members whose participation began after July 1, 2003, will earn a contribution for insurance of ten dollars ($10) per month for each year of earned service.

  • Hazardous duty members whose participation began after July 1, 2003, will earn a contribution for insurance of fifteen dollars ($15) per month for each year of service. Upon the retiree’s death, the spouse of a Hazardous duty member will receive a monthly insurance contribution of ten dollars ($10) per month for each year of Hazardous duty provided the spouse is designated as beneficiary and remains eligible for monthly benefits upon the retired member’s death.

  • The monthly insurance contribution will be increased annually to include Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs). The annual increase shall be cumulative and shall continue to accrue after the member’s retirement for as long as a monthly insurance contribution is payable to the retired member or beneficiary.

For retired-reemployed members whose re-employment begins between July 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008, the second account will stand on its own with regard to KPPA-paid insurance.

3. If you began participating On or After September 1, 2008:

For a member whose participation began on or after September 1, 2008, eligibility for insurance benefits shall not be provided until the member has earned at least one hundred eighty (180) months of service in the state-administered retirement systems.

  • Nonhazardous members whose participation began after September 1, 2008, will earn a contribution for insurance of ten dollars ($10) per month for each year of earned service.

  • Hazardous duty members whose participation began after September 1, 2008, will earn a contribution for insurance of fifteen dollars ($15) per month for each year of service. Upon the retiree’s death, the spouse of a hazardous duty member will receive a monthly insurance contribution of ten dollars ($10) per month for each year of hazardous duty provided the spouse is designated as beneficiary and remains eligible for monthly benefits upon the retired member’s death.

  • The monthly insurance contribution will be increased annually to include annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). The annual increase shall be cumulative and shall continue to accrue after the member’s retirement for as long as a monthly insurance contribution is payable to the retired member or beneficiary.

Health Insurance Waiver

If a retiring member chooses to waive insurance coverage through KPPA, the contribution KPPA would have paid toward insurance is forfeited and coverage through KPPA cannot be obtained until the next annual Open Enrollment period unless a qualifying event occurs. If you failed to complete the insurance application(s) at the time you retired or began receiving benefits as a beneficiary, you will be defaulted into a health insurance plan. In order to prevent this from occurring you are required to fill out a health insurance application indicating that you would like to waive coverage with KPPA. You will have the opportunity each year to apply for health insurance coverage, and you will be notified each year of the period during which you may make the election for health insurance coverage.  

Please read the Open Enrollment information carefully because companies, types and amounts of coverage, and other requirements change frequently.


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